GARSHAKE CARE HOME FOR ‘COMPLEX’ ADULTS REPRIEVED FROM CLOSURE

The Cornerstone Care Home for Complex Adults under construction in the hills at Garshake in Dumbarton.

By Bill Heaney

A care home for complex and difficult to control adults built on a remote site near the old Dumbarton Waterworks at Garshake has failed to meet the standards of service required by the Scottish Care Commission.

The home, which was built by the Cornerstone charity in consultation with West Dunbartonshire Council and the arms length Health and Social Care Committee, has been labelled a failed project.

Despite being relatively newly built, it was flagged up beforehand to the authorities that the site chosen at the foot of the Long Crags was too remote, especially since there had been advice from experts that care homes should be situated within communities.

Like Crosslet Care Home for the Elderly it had been built at “the back of beyond”.

And that it would present problems for patients who might wander off into the hills nearby.

There would also be problems with staff recruitment since the new home was not on local a bus route and there would be public transport difficulties and costly taxi fares for residents’ relatives visiting them. Walking up the steep brae to the home would be almost impossible for many elderly people who might wish to visit people there.

The fourth demand from the inspectorate was “to ensure a well-managed and led service which results in positive outcomes for service users through a culture of continuous improvement and transparent quality assurance processes”.

It too has also not been met.

Cornerstpone have now been given an extension until January 6 for these things to be done.

Management at Baxter View have confirmed the appointment of a new manager and maintain that bringing the home up to the standards required of them is “an absolute priority”.

Hazel Brown, chief executive of Cornerstone, told one local journalist: “We welcome the collaborative and supportive approach taken by the Care Inspectorate in granting an extension to the Baxter View improvement notice, which recognises the positive progress that has already been made at the service, whilst allowing more time for improvements to be embedded as we look to grow our specialist staff team.”

Hazel Brown, Chief Executive of Cornerstone, says they have replaced the manager.

She added: “Under the leadership of a newly appointed, experienced service improvementmanager significant specialist staff training is already impacting positively and we will continue to strengthen the team through supporting existing and new Complex Care Practitioners to complete an SCQF Level 7 in Social Services and Healthcare with additional training in complex specialist care.

“A recent audit review is ensuring the delivery of person-centred care supported by appropriate care planning, health and safety, finance and medication processes.

“We have also welcomed additional, interim visits from inspectors providing them with regular updates, and evidence of progress and acting promptly on feedback provided.

“Putting the people we support at the heart of all we do remains our absolute priority and we continue to work closely with the Care Inspectorate, West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, and other multi-disciplinary professionals to achieve compliance with all regulatory requirements and ensure delivery of the agreed comprehensive action plan that allows the people we support to live the best life possible.”

The Cornerstone website states: “Our colleagues are at the heart and soul of our organisation and through teamwork, trust and empowerment everyone plays a vital part in helping us to achieve our vision – to be the first choice for expert care and support for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex care needs in Scotland. ” It also reveals that they won an award from The Herald newspaper.

One comment

Billie says:

December 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm

If you build at the back of beyond up in the hills with no transport links who would have thunk there would be accessibility issues?

No doubt there was a hey diddle diddle in the choice of this sité.

It’s just typical Dumbarton to …

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